After Minerva had excused herself, and Snape had returned his beloved chair to it's original design, the day had dragged onward. Snape felt himself unsure of what exactly to do at with the girl who at present laid against the lounge staring out the window. He knew she couldn't actually see the beautiful front lawn but it did give him some sort of comfort that she was at least looking away from him. She wasn't strong enough mentally or physically to brave another trip inside her mind, nor to let him go searching himself. It left him at an impasse, he had to wait until she was strong again before he could seek out the deamon who threatened her life even now.
After his shower, he'd managed to put himself back to rights, the return of his beloved frock coat had set him a bit at ease as he was able to layer himself back up. The potions sent from Madame Pomfery aided in his headache and fatigue relief. He had made them a light lunch of broccoli soup and soft bread. It had been a difficult and trying process to get Hermione to even try it. She had worn his patience thin before finally turning her head towards him and taking a small sip. He'd put her soup in a cup, not wanting to have to spoon feed a blind woman and risk making a mess. She managed a full three sips before she very rudely pushed his hand away turning her head from him. He had growled at her and she snarled back at him. It was a very interesting trade of territory marking. To which he relented with a deep sigh setting it on a table he'd moved next to her transfigured chair. He promised to try again later to which the witch turned her back on him. It now sat hours cold as he turned a page in the book he was researching a spark of inspiration having lured him onto a new path.
She seemed deeply lost in her thoughts, until mid afternoon when she expressed her extreme boredom. She had begged him for something to occupy her mind. So there they sat, the sun waning behind the trees. Severus had his research text open on his lap as he softly read to her. It was dry and very technical material but he had watched a soft smile come to her face as she absorbed the information. He had forgone any attempt at small talk as he paused between passages taking down notes. She waited patiently for the scratching of his pen to cease knowing he'd pick up again where he'd left off.
Hermione hadn't meant to be so cold to her care taker, in fact she was mostly terrified that he'd realized she had slipped into his dream and knew that it was her who stood before him. Her fears kept her from trying to be too friendly to him. Though she very much wanted to hug him tight and swear to him that everything would be okay. That despite this new pit of despair she was eternally grateful to be out of her former prison. She knew better of it. She knew such useless words would be wasted on a man of his character. That he didn't need words, but actions. She had spent the better part of the day just trying to think on how she could show the man her gratitude. When he had tried to feed her she hadn't meant to push him away but her stomach had resisted most painfully and she didn't want to throw up all over everything. Her back was pulsing softly with a dull pain, from the top of her neck down to her tail bone. It had made it nearly impossible to get comfortable on the chair but she had tried her best, choosing to keep her face away from him so he wouldn't pick up on her discomfort.
Her mind had drifted a bit as she felt fatigue wearing at her waking mind, she shift slightly letting out a small sound of pain as her back protested the movement. The noise instantly caught Severus' attention and he looked over the brim of his book pausing softly before finishing the sentence he was on.
His eyes narrowed, she was still faced away from him, the blanket having fallen to her deeply curved waist, the tank top she was wearing showed the top of her back and he didn't miss the ripple of a muscle near her neck that her hair attempted to obscure. He sat up more straight in his chair watching as she attempted to keep herself from curling up. Strong girl. He thought idly to himself before closing the book.
"Miss Granger." He said deeply, watching as she tried to still herself, but her back still rippled with the cramping muscles. She didn't respond to him, too busy holding her tongue. He sighed heavily through his nose and stood walking away from her to the kitchen.
Hermione couldn't resist turning her head trying to follow the sound of his steps as they moved away from her. She let out the breath she'd been holding and a soft whimper as she wiped at her eyes. There was some shuffling before she heard his footsteps again, the lounge she was laying on started to shift causing her to squeak and hold onto the edge as it stretched itself back flat. She turned her head eyes wide and searching for his form. What was he doing!? She reached out slightly as a small panic welled inside her. Not being able to see him, even though she knew he meant no harm, was still a very disconcerting circumstance as the man was very limited in his narration.
"You're in pain." He said a bit of an edge to his slowly spoken words. Her hand almost touched him but he side stepped it carefully. "You can't hide from me." He said as he stayed just out of her reach holding a jar of salve.
Hermione whimpered softly at his words and pulled her hand back. "I'm fine." She pushed out turning to stare down at the lounge. She was partially on her side trying to hold herself up on her elbow her legs turned awkwardly.
He took a calming breath as he waited for her to realize what he was planning to do. It was then he heard it again, softly brushing against his shields, I'm in so much pain. He swallowed slowly narrowing his eyes, watching the girl struggle to keep herself propped up. He pushed his own thought back towards her mostly as a test, Roll onto your stomach. Now.
Hermione's eyes widened and her head jerked towards his general direction. She heard him as clear as if he'd spoken in the air between them. Her white eyes moved around the room as she tried to assess what they'd just done. You...you can hear me? She thought timidly.
As clear as day. Now, do as I say. Lest you wish for me to help in the endeavor. He smirked to himself as the realization washed over her pale face. Yes, he was not an ignorant man, he had known the little chit had slipped into his dream. Though it wasn't until just recently that he had realized the girl had actually sought him out.
Hermione paused slightly before swallowing. She grit her teeth before carefully untwisting her legs and shift herself onto her stomach. Her arms curled in at her sides her chin nestled over her fingertips. She heard him move around the side of the lounge and a slight scrapping of wood on wood as he must have moved his chair closer. She squirmed a bit as she felt the ties on her shirt magically wiggling free from their knots. She held her breath as the back of her shirt was pulled away. She felt dreadfully exposed and couldn't help but shiver. She closed her eyes and hid her face into her knuckles.
Severus noted instantly the girls reaction and realized his own fear and uneasiness of the situation must have been wafting over to her. He took a moment to completely shut down his walls, feeling the little wisp disappear from between them and watched as she relaxed just a bit. He took a fair amount of muscle relaxant salve, courtesy of Hogwarts Hospital Wing, onto his fingers before leaning over her. He started at her neck pushing away the hairs that had freed themselves from her braid during the day, before starting to slowly massage small circles along the curse line.
Hermione's face tried to relax, her breath coming out in soft controlled puffs as the magic tingled along her skin. It hurts. She thought loudly, hoping to reach out, but only found her thought rebounding back at her. She hid her face farther into her hand keeping her jaw set to forbid any sound from escaping.
Severus was completely focused on his task, his eyes watching her breaths raise and fall under his fingers. The bumps of her spine were less visible now but he could still feel them rolling under his fingers as he moved. The muscles had started to slow their movements as he made it to the halfway mark. He pulled back to retrieve more salve when he looked to her face. A small tear was starting it's way down her cheek but she hastily swiped it away with her fingers burrowing her head down more. He pursed is lips as he carefully opened their connection again.
It hurts, it hurts so much! Why does something that's supposed to help me hurt so much?! Her thoughts were loud enough to echo through his own mind causing his heart to constrict. He hadn't meant to bring her more pain, he had only sought to relieve it. He had checked the potion himself; it was properly made, by all rights it should have alleviated the pain. He saw it then, faintly against the crease of the scar. A blue spark of magic that sucked everything inward. It was stealing the magic inside the salve and hurting her in the process. His eyes narrowed and he couldn't stop a sneer from gracing his lips as he set the salve aside. He watched the blue sparks stop just where he had with the salve and looked towards her face once more. It was still mostly hidden in her hand and he couldn't help but feel guilt rising up inside him. Everything he'd done to help her, everything the healers had done was doing nothing but feeding the beast that had laid waste inside her. He couldn't stop himself as he brought the back of his hand down towards her temple. An apologetic look on his features as he silenced their connection once more. He lightly pushed away stray strands trying to coax her face from behind her hand.
"I'm sorry." His voice was so gentle, so soft, anyone who would have heard it would have sworn it's owner to be under the control of the imperious curse. His words carried the weight of those who had gone well before him in her care. Severus' hand continued to gently glide across her temple.
Hermione had hesitated hearing those words, before slowly she pulled her hand away shifting her face more into his gentle touch. She closed her eyes, her long lashes brushing against his finger tips as he gently wiped away one of her fallen tears. She sniffled just a little before the hand she'd used to shield herself lightly brushed against his palm. She wanted to hold his hand, it gave her comfort though the reason why she hadn't yet discovered. She hiccuped just a bit as she swallowed down her tears, the pain in her back had started to dissipate if only halfway. His hand started to pull back and she attempted to take hold of it, but his fingers slipped through her own as he straightened himself up. He was sorry for so many things, she could feel it, but her mind refused to focus on the swirling mirad. She made to shift before a hand kept her down by her shoulder. She felt the draw of clothe over her bare skin and the ties magically being wound together once more. Once that was finished the hand on her shoulder relented.
Hermione slowly turned as she was allowed to move again, her face searching, she reached out in front of her, her hand landing on his knee. It trailed up his thigh just a bit before raising up seeking out his chest. She had a most desperate look upon her face. Severus couldn't help but watch the agony mirror his own. He didn't know what she wanted from him in that moment; he only watched her hand reach out towards him. Dangerously close to his face.
"Please..." She whispered softly, begging, "Hold me..." She inhaled a shaky breath as she continued to reach for him a fresh swath of tears welling up in her eyes. For so long she had lived, day after day, feeling nothing but painful curse after painful curse. Her body and mind ravaged beyond recognition. Her mind left to nothingness as she woke to her new nightmare. She was so tired of the pain, the ache of loneliness, the feeling of nothing but fire and darkness curling around her flesh. She just wanted something pure, and soothing. Something real. "Please..." Her voice was barely a whisper as her hand started to fall, a choking sob shaking her frame.
Severus stopped her hand just as she started to pull it back to herself. His hand closing gently around her wrist, as he pulled it back towards himself. He leaned down pulling the offered arm up to rest on his shoulder, to which she clung desperately to, her fingers grasping the fabric tightly. He wrapped his arms under her own as he pulled her from the lounge. She was still rather easy to lift as he pulled her to his lap. Her legs moved a bit awkwardly as she tried to help him. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders easily enough while he adjusted her legs to sit over the arm of the chair, her body resting between his legs pressed lightly to his chest. She nuzzled her head against his shoulder. She sat low against him, the top of her head resting just below his chin. Her arms had pulled back slightly, one resting in her lap while she clung to the others bicep, pulling it to wrap around her back. She closed her eyes tightly as she listened to his beating heart. Her tears fell silently as she took in his warmth. Even through all his layers of clothing she could feel it radiating from him. She shift just a little pressing her nose against the seam of his coat, inhaling his scent; memorizing it. He was real. This was real. She told herself over and over.
Severus closed his eyes as he wrapped his arm gently around her. He rest the other lightly on the arm of the chair his head leaned against the backrest. He watched her carefully unravel. All the pain, from the past five years started to flow through her, it was overwhelming. Flooding his own senses and pushing lightly against his shields. He felt her tears drop onto the hand that held her shoulder. She made to shift more, pressing her chest more fully against his own. Her arm slipping out to the side resting between his hip and the chair. She clung gently to the front of his jacket having released his arm in the process. She curled her legs into the seat with them, pressing them against the arm and his thigh. She was small enough to fit both of them somewhat comfortably. Her shoulders trembled as she released a heart wrenching sob. No longer able to restrain her grief. He closed his eyes against the sound his hand coming up to cradle the back of her head.
They stayed that way for a very long time. Nether one breaking the cleansing silence of understanding between them with useless words. Hermione's cries having worn her already weak frame down. Her head laid heavily against him, her arms folded between them in their laps, curled lightly around themselves. Her breathing had evened out to a slow steady rhythm indicative of sleep. Severus himself had allowed her presence to relax his own reservations regarding their situation. His hand had released the braid he'd made in her hair letting the curls fall down her back. He's massaged the back of her head near the end, hoping to lull her into a much needed rest. With his success he had brought his own arm to dangle lightly at her hip. His other still on the arm of the chair as he contemplated his next move.
He had no desire to sleep another night in his chair, as much loved as it was. He desperately missed his bed. He tilt his head down looking into her sleep relaxed visage, he was sure she would be out for a long time after the much needed cry and made his choice. Carefully, he shift her legs, slipping his arm under the crook of her knees. She did make a small noise shifting her head just a bit but otherwise didn't stir. He gave her a moment before wrapping his arms around her shoulders tucking his hand under her arm against her ribs. He kept her body angled towards him so her head wouldn't fall over his arm as he carefully stood up. His legs protested the movement and he couldn't help but wince from their lack of circulation. He bent one then the other carefully mindful to her shifting hands, one falling from her lap to dangle in the air in front of them. When she made no other protests he started towards the stairs. He took them carefully, sighing heavily as he reached the landing with no further issues. He entered the room he had prepared for her and very carefully laid her out on her side. He had known her back to be problematic from the beginning and didn't dare lay her flat. She made a small noise her hands opening and closing in front of her. He pulled an extra pillow from under her head and carefully placed it between her arms. Instantly they wrapped around it holding it tightly. Her legs curling her into a perfect little ball. He paused just a little longer, assured that she continued to rest, he pulled the blanket up around her tucking it gently behind her back to help keep her in position before letting the front rest lightly over her. She let out a soft sigh and turned her head into the pillow relaxing into the softness of the bed.
He took a step back a yawn starting to overcome him. The mere temptation of sleep was already causing his body to prepare itself. He moved towards the door closing it softly. The door to the bathroom was open, it would provide him the perfect position to hear her should she wake, as his bed was far from the entrance door but rather close to the bathroom door. As he entered his room, he made sure to widen the opening to the bathroom door before starting to work off his coat. He divested himself of his layers in no time pulling on some grey sleeping pants, forgoing a shirt as his meager supply had all been dirtied in the past few days and he'd been unable to wash them. He'd since returned the duvet to his bed and greedily crawled under it's warmth. He laid out on his stomach putting an arm under his pillow. He was out in seconds.
"The map can't be right can it?" Ron said chewing on his thumb nail a bit, "I mean, does it need like updated or something?" He said helplessly.
Harry just shook his head, "No it's right." He said pursing his lips looking down the tunnel that would lead them up into the main corridor. At present Draco's footprints were standing just before the door leading to Snape's chambers. The boys had argued a bit on which way to go and delayed their interception of the mysterious Slytherin. Now they stood just beyond a door that would lead them to their interception.
"Alright...just keep your wand at the ready." He said folding the map into his back pocket, "If anything goes pear shaped, just run for the head office yea?" He said gripping his wand even tighter now. It wasn't the first time he'd been in a tight situation with the blond since their subsequent honorable graduation from the school. He'd run into him a few times in Hogsmead and at the Hogshead on rare occasions. They had never paid either much attention both of them having had their reasons for what they did that night.
Harry and Ron nodded to their mutual agreement and pushed open the false wall. The corridor was dark, Harry had double checked the map making sure no students were anywhere nearby before they both slipped out. They cast a disillusionment spell on themselves as they rounded the bent corridor. Draco stood just before a large wooden door heavily reinforced with iron. He was muttering something under his breath running his wand along it's frame when he paused.
Draco could feel someone or something behind him. It interrupted his attempt to disable his Godfather's blood wards and he slowly lowered his wand gripping it more tightly to his chest as he slowly turned.
"Who's there?" He called out squinting his eyes in the darkness. He noticed a small shimmer and pointed his wand towards it, "Reveal yourself!" He flicked his wand pulling the disillusionment from Ron who glanced down at himself before pointing his own wand towards Malfoy a curse at the tip of his tongue.
"Weasley?" Draco looked most confused before his eyes flickered towards another shimmering form, he flicked his wand again tearing Harry's spell down next, "Potter! I should have known." He said backing himself up against the door keeping his wand out, "What are you doing here?" He demanded his stone cold eyes flickering between the wands pointed straight at him.
Harry lift his chin, "Same could be asked of you!" He flicked his wand towards the door behind Draco, "Bit of spring cleaning?" He asked with an arched brow.
The blond narrowed his eyes trying to decide his next move. He wasn't going to answer, not because he wasn't allowed to be there, but because he simply didn't want to. He licked his lips slowly as he watched the two of them glance back and forth to each other. In that moment of distraction he let loose a cloud of smoke from his wand transforming instantly.
Two spells struck the door where he stood making the entire hallway groan. Harry felt more than saw a black flying something over their heads and turned his wand towards it. He fired again, taking out a tiny bit of stone as the bird flew around the bend of the corridor. Ron too had let off his own stunner missing Draco's tail by a feathers breath. They both were about to take off after him when a house elf suddenly appeared before them. It said nothing as it grabbed hold of their respective legs and they found themselves instantly whisked off to the Head Office.
They landed hard on the carpet, finding themselves instantly bound with their arms at their sides their wands taken into the elf's tiny hands. It scurried out of sight no doubt towards the desk as it offered it's catch to the headmistress.
"Why is it," Came the long drawn out voice of Professor McGonagall as she round the small love seat coming into their vision, "When there is something going on in this castle, it always involves you th-two?" She corrected her self carefully as she looked down at the two struggling young men.
Both of the men had the sense to look quilty and lower their eyes. Though Harry did glance up briefly only to see that arched brow of judgment awaiting their answer. He lowered his eyes quickly again and licked his lips, "We'd like to see Hermione..." He admitted softly.
She pondered whether she should leave them bound on the floor but decided their quick and rather merciless extraction from the corridor would help keep them in check. She waved her wand lazily as she took a seat on the sofa behind her. She took a deep breath her eyes shooting up as she sensed Draco's return to the office. She was after all the headmistress, she was privy to certain extra things, the castle was part of her now, she could feel it's wards and all that threatened it's safety. It wasn't until the first curse was fired however, did she decide to round up the two boys. She had given them a chance to prove that they weren't as foolish as they apparently were. As it was, she flicked her wand releasing her two captives and with another flick, cracked open the door just in time for a large black owl to come swooping in. It landed on the back of the couch it's eyes piercing the two as they got to their feet sheepishly taking their seats in the chairs nearest them.
McGonagall was having none of their silly house rivalry tonight however and promptly thumped Draco on his head three times sending the boy back into his human form. The awkward angle made him stumble back just a little as he came to rights. He grumbled something but as McGonagall raised a brow at him he wisely shut his mouth and busied himself with dusting off his jacket.
"Now then." She said clasping her hands over her crossed knees looking between the three of them, Draco having come round to sit in a chair between the two sides. He leaned back lazily looking for all the world disinterested but inside he was sharply focused on what was going on. " It has come to my attention, that you two, not only risked your own safety by attempting to enter Hogwarts illegally, but have also fired off dangerous spells inside it's confines, with no regard for your or anyone else's safety." She glanced slightly at each in turn. "You do realize this is a school Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley." She lowered her gaze directly at them now, looking over the rim of her glasses, "What if a student had wondered in on your little duel hm?" Harry and Ron both blanched at the thought lowering their eyes even further if it were possible. Their shoulders hung with shame and guilt. "Now, as much as I understand your need for information." She paused glancing to Draco who was absently picking at something on his jacket. " This can not be ignored." Her tone was sharp and undoubtedly laced with danger. "As it is, I don't feel like waking the minister, tonight." She watched the boys relax back into their chairs a little, "But you can be assured I will be have a very long, conversation with him come tomorrow." She watched them wince and nod their heads in understanding. Both just happy they weren't going to be carted off to Azkaban. A sharp nod and she turned towards Draco, "Were you able to get in?"
"No, I was very rudely interrupted." He sneered sideways at Harry. " But the wards were seeming to react to me." He said with a nod, "They recognized our connection, I think I'll be able to get in next time."
"Why are you trying to get into Snape's chambers?" Harry couldn't help but blurt wincing at his lax control over his tongue. "More so, why are they still even in the castle?" He glanced upward towards the portrait that still hung inert.
"They are still in the school Mr. Potter, because they are protected by a very old and very powerful blood magic." She answered swiftly, no use in dangling more mysteries in front of them given the lengths they had gone already to solve the one. "A magic that either Snape himself has to come and remove." He watched Harry pull back visibly, and her heart ached to tell him the truth, but knew it to be neither the time nor place. Draco too noticed and lowered his eyes just a bit, "Or, someone who has become part of his family line." She motioned towards Draco.
"He is, was, "Draco corrected carefully, "My Godfather." He didn't want to even give that much but the look from McGonagall pushed his tongue.
Ron's mouth made a small 'o' as he took in the information, he mumbled a small apology to Draco for attacking him and chewed on his bottom lip, as he leaned forward the beaded bag that was around his chest slipping forward. He gasped as items started to tumble out of it, various potion bottles, a random T-shirt and a few small notebooks and a quill.
Minerva furrowed her brows as items that should not have fit, spilled out. Ron's reaction to their displacement however, was extremely disheartening. He all but threw himself forward onto his knees quickly pushing all the items back in. As a vial rolled toward Draco he leaned down to pick it up turning it in the light. "Essence of Dittany?" He had just enough time to notice the bottle was almost empty before Ron snatched it back. "It's Hermione's okay..." He mumbled to himself as he tried to push the items back through the opening obviously upset. "Just shove off." he growled as he pulled out Harry's invisibility cloak tossing it towards him as he made room to set the other items back inside more securely.
Minerva's heart ached in her chest and she looked at Draco who very slightly shook his head, he knew his godfather, he knew him well enough that if she revealed him now he would run. He would run and never look back.
Minerva lowered her eyes just a bit as she weighed the options. She and Draco were the only ones who knew exactly where he was and, how to find him. She had given Draco the spy glass to help add his flight path, but the wards were set to allow anyone in who had been there before lest they were manually expelled by the house's occupant. Not that she would ever tell Severus that directly. She looked back to Draco who's jaw twitched, before throwing up his hands and flopping back into the chair obviously washing his hands of the entire situation. He was, after all, only in this truly for himself and Severus. He would run with him, taking his family along if need be. What did he really care if the boys suffered. It was a lie, but it was a well crafted one that wrapped around his heart and kept him calm in situations just like this.
Minerva decided, "Mr. Malfoy would you please see to the task I have given you?" Her voice was cool and collected, she was giving the boy reasonable deniability for the conversation that was sure to follow. Draco was no fool his lips pursed as he realized her choice though always one for an opportunity he slowly nod his head standing carefully. He nod his head just a bit giving one more glare to Harry and Ron before he made for the door.
Harry watched him leave before swiveling back towards his old head of house, awaiting answers.
"Minerva." The voice came from high above them as Dumbledore spoke slowly and carefully his tone warning her of the choice she was about to follow through with.
The woman to her great benefit simply flicked her wand silencing him. She did it often enough that he didn't even feel offended anymore. The other portraits in their frames snickered softly before deciding it was a very good time to make themselves scarce. All but one, it's black visage shadowed by the candle light.
Ron had sat himself back down sensing the tension in the air he swallowed thickly and turned his strict attention to the woman who sat very tense before them.
She took a deep breath, "Miss Granger is currently in the care of someone who you believe to have long left this world." She spoke cleanly and slowly watching their eyes narrow. "In the time since her transfer from St. Mungo's this particular person had worked untold magic in the progression of her care." She shift slightly holding her knees a bit tighter, "However, it has come to my attention that Miss Granger is in a far worse state than was originally assessed." She raised her hand silencing the question that threatened to tumble from Harry's lips, "She is awake, and has healed considerably." She assured, "However, she has no memory of who she is." Her jaw ticked a bit, "Nor of the relationships she has cultivated in this lifetime."
Harry fell back heavily in the chair as his mind rolled around the new information. He ticked it off like a list inside his mind; Hermione was alive, someone whom he didn't dare to suspect was also alive, they were taking care of her, they had woken her from her coma but she had no memories. He swallowed thickly as he glanced up at the frame rest beside Dumbledore's empty frame. "It's him isn't it..." His voice trembled slightly as he raised a trembling finger.
Minerva didn't even bother to look behind her, she knew exactly to whom he pointed. She nod her head very slowly her lips terse.
Harry had only shown the memories Snape had given him with a select few people, two of which were in the room with him. He knew of Snape's true loyalties after all the time he had spent making their lives miserable. He thought he was in shock from that revelation but this one hit him like a two ton truck. He had watched him die. He had seen the life drain from his face as his blood ran over his hands! How was it even possible!? So many new questions popped to the surface of his mind but he pushed them away for now.
"Where are they?" It was actually Ron who broke the contemplative silence, his eyes harder than ever his hand clutching tightly to the beaded bag.
"They are safe, away from all prying eyes." Minerva assured him gently watching his hands shake around the bag as he nod his head processing his own thoughts.
"Would...would it be possible to arrange something?" Ron licked his lips, his tone extra polite, the very idea that Hermione was awake and aware enough to hear his apologies lit a fire in his heart. He looked to Professor McGonagall with such hope.
"I will, do everything in my power to see to it that you two will be able to see her." She spoke carefully, "But I can not guarantee the results of your meeting." She remembered how Hermione had pulled away from her initially. How it burdened her heart. She could already tell Ron was close to his own breaking point, she wasn't sure if he was emotionally strong enough to be rejected by the only girl he ever fell in love with.
The silence stretched slowly between the three of them. She watched the young men nod and process their feelings openly. Slowly Ron rose, gently pulling the beaded bag over his head. He cradled it in his hands looking down at his lifeline of five years. He wanted to help in anyway he could, maybe Hermione had thought of something and put it in the very bag in his hands for just this occasion. He took a deep breath reaching in pulling out the T-shirt he'd always held onto while he slept. His bottom lip wobbled as he pushed it into his jeans pocket before slowly offering out the bag to Minerva. He had tears in the corner of his eyes as he tried to hold back the emotions that were running rampart through his mind.
He took a shaky breath, "Maybe...maybe she left something in here...that may help..." He whispered as Minerva gently took the offered bag.
"Thank you Mr. Weasely." She could tell the boy was moments from breaking down right there. Harry had sensed it too and came to stand beside his friend. "I suspect your next visit will be through the floo?" She motioned for Harry to take Ron over lifting the intrusion wards from the fireplace. Harry nod as he pulled Ron into the hearth with him accepting their wands in the process. He mumbled a very soft but very grateful thank you as he took a handful of floo powder she had stood to offer to them.
Minerva nod her head as both boys disappeared in the green flames. She closed her eyes and set the pot back upon the mantle. She stared down at the worn beaded bag as she contemplated her next step.